The new NIS 20 and 100 banknotes feature two famous female literary giants, Leah Goldberg and Rachel Bluwstein; new design images were distributed early to prevent forgery and counterfeit.

Michal Margalit|Published: 02.01.17 , 16:12

The Bank of Israel is preparing new NIS 20 and 100 banknotes for release later this year. The bank released designs of the new notes Tuesday, which will feature famous writers and poets, Leah Goldberg and Rachel Bluwstein.

The bank released the designs ahead their official distribution into the public domain and emphasized the new watermarks and security features in order to prevent forgery and counterfeiting.

New NIS 20 banknote example

According to the Bank of Israel, spikes in forgeries and counterfeits are recorded when new currency is introduced as criminals attempt to take advantage of the public's lack of familiarity with the new banknotes and their security features.

As such, the bank has distributed examples of the new notes to manufacturers, suppliers and vending machine companies in order for them to calibrate machines and prepare technically and operationally for new currency.

New NIS 100 banknote example

The new notes are the third and fourth currency exchanges to have been introduced in the last three years as part of a multi-year plan by the Bank of Israel to replace aging currency.

The new NIS 20 notes will have dimensions of 129x71mm and will be colored red. The background image on the front will feature palm tree branches, accompanied by small text from a section of the poem "Kinneret" written by Bluwstein. The image on the back of the note will feature a landscape image of the Sea of Galilee.

Back side of the new NIS 20

The new NIS 100 notes, on the other hand, will be orange and measure 143x71mm. The background image on the front of the note will display almond tree blossoms, while the text on the note will feature a section of the poem "I love the almond tree blossoms." The back of the note will depict a group of deer and a section of the poem "White Days."

Back side of the new NIS 100

The new bills will be composed of a special material and contain complex watermarks consisting of the characters on the bill and the value of the bill, along with a security line and color-changing icon. The bill will also accomodate people with impaired vision, featuring Braille, other tiny holes and transparent sections.